What is a Good Editing Software for a Beginner ?

I Know this is a loaded question, but it is one I have to ask. There are so many different options out there, and so many different price points it begins to boggle the mind.

Is Elements the best Bang for the Buck ? or is Coral Paint Pro x7 a diamond in the rough. Nikon NX-D is getting panned should so I avoid at all costs or should I try and snag a copy of NX-2? Please give me your thoughts and opinions.

I use Lightroom because that is what I started with and it is what I'm used to.
There are other software that I use, like the Nik Collection and PS, but you asked about software for a beginner, LR would be good to start with.

pk63015 said:

I Know this is a loaded question, but it is one I have to ask. There are so many different options out there, and so many different price points it begins to boggle the mind.

Is Elements the best Bang for the Buck ? or is Coral Paint Pro x7 a diamond in the rough. Nikon NX-D is getting panned should so I avoid at all costs or should I try and snag a copy of NX-2? Please give me your thoughts and opinions.

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NX-2 is discontinued.

I use Nikon NX-D exclusively for processing all my RAW images. As long as you are adjusting WB, Exposure, Colour Profiles, NR and distortion there is no need for other software. Use NX-D as the initial RAW converter and then export the converted images to other photo editing programs.

If you need cataloging then it is Lightroom. If advanced photo editing then Photoshop. Basically if you use a two step process - one for RAW conversion and two for photo editing, there are a lot of options, both free and charged.

Either Lightroom or Photoshop. You may as well start learning what you're going to wind up using anyway.

I'd suggest you get an Adobe Creative Cloud Photographers package for $10 a month and start learning one, the other or both. You'll be glad you did. And once you get a taste of the power of Photoshop, there's no going back. Nothing else can touch it.

....

I have used Photoshop for a long time but recently got in on the PS CC (Creative Cloud)/LR 5.6 deal for $9.99 a month. LR is still very much a learning experience for me right now but there are things you can do in LR that you can't do in PS and vice versa so the two compliment each other quite well.

I'm using LR and you can do a great deal of basic editing in it. If you want more, PS is the obvious next step.

I'd advise LR as a starter. It's not too complicated nor too expensive and you have vids out there explaining practically everything in detail.

there is no need for other software.

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That's like saying if you have the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, there is no need for other lenses.

pk63015,
Since you are in Erie PA. Drop by Holy Rosary School on Wednesday evening( 6PM class starts at 7PM) I have a class that I am teaching although its an Intermediate Photo Shop type class you might want to see. We do have a club website Welcome | COMPUTER USERS of ERIE and our next general meeting is Thursday the 16th of October (7PM) at the same location. I will be starting a Photoshop Elements class in the spring. The reason that you should stop by is that not all use photoshop as some use different type's that do layers and mask's.
Lou Cioccio

Picasa is free and it gets your feet wet. Alslo, Microsoft ICE is free and it lets you stitch together shots to make a panoramic

Blacktop said:

That's like saying if you have the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, there is no need for other lenses.

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Not quite.
You are quoting selectively what Aroy said. He did qualify by saying if the things you need to adjust...... In which case thats correct.

I think I might just go with Photoshop Elements 12.. I know version 13 is out, but there are not any books out right now that will be able guide me through the rough spots, at least with Ver 12 there are 6-7 books that are available and seem to be rated very good that will be able to guide me through step-by step.

wornish said:

Not quite.
You are quoting selectively what Aroy said. He did qualify by saying if the things you need to adjust...... In which case thats correct.

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You're right. I just re-read his post and I stand corrected. Apologies to my friend @aroy.

aroy said:

NX-2 is discontinued.

I use Nikon NX-D exclusively for processing all my RAW images. As long as you are adjusting WB, Exposure, Colour Profiles, NR and distortion there is no need for other software. Use NX-D as the initial RAW converter and then export the converted images to other photo editing programs.

Click to expand...

I use a combination of Picasa and NX-D easy peazy and I like free.....

Love the way the capture NX-D replicates the settings from my Nikon cameras.....

I have PSE 12 and love it. Still learning but it has 3 different complexity levels. Check out some youtube videos from Rick Peterson. He's very detailed

All I use is corel. It was my price and I'm satisfied.

I suggest Lightroom. It's a real bargain.

Blacktop said:

You're right. I just re-read his post and I stand corrected. Apologies to my friend @aroy.

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Thanks for the apology, but none required. We are all trying to clarify what we think, and at times the things are a bit hazy before they are expressed (and rebutted) in a forum.

I use Elements, occasionally I wonder about what I might be missing on its "big brothers" but it does everything I want (ie catalog and edits). Its probably time for me to upgrade... so if I find they have their software on Black Friday sale again this year I will buy the latest version... if not, I'll stick to what I have (Elements 11)

Another vote for Lightroom.

Tracey,
Not a whole lot you don't have channels and cannot do CMYK, smart objects, but elements has some features that are easier than the full version. The menus are laid out different. My biggest peeve on Elements is version 11 on up as they locked the tool bar and the main window is small (small for me as I work in dual monitors and/or 27 inch monitors). Most that come to my class come with laptops and do not have a desktop and I suggest to look for a good IPS monitor at least min 23 inch or larger and invest in a calibrator. One participant complained about her images being dark so the next class I brought in my Dell 23 U2312HM and just hooked it up and she saw the difference and we did not calibrate it.
I have several version of elements so in class I show the features and a rule of thumb was to skip a version unless it was earth shattering. I had two participants that came in with version 7 but could not do masks but did find an elements style that did masks for 7 and it was free. Also do a search for Elements + can't remember what I paid but it adds to elements. About Elements+ here is the link.
Lou Cioccio